ISA Student Journey to Scholarship

My ISA Story: From Competition Setback to Scholarship Success

Unexpected Beginning

My ISA journey started unexpectedly during my second year at VESIT, Mumbai, when I attended a student section workshop. Initially, ISA represented just another engineering acronym among many. However, the workshop’s energetic atmosphere—filled with hands-on learning and supportive older people—immediately captured my interest. Under mentor Gopalakrishnan Sir’s guidance, I discovered an environment where teamwork and growth thrived beyond typical classroom boundaries.

Competition Breakthrough

During my third year, I participated in the India Automation Games hosted by ISA Maharashtra Section. This two-day competition featured multiple technical challenges including robotics, pneumatics, and PLC programming. My pivotal moment arrived during the LabVIEW segment—software I had never previously encountered. Despite initial apprehension, I became the first in my batch to complete the assignment, discovering an unexpected aptitude for problem-solving under pressure.

Defining Moment

The competition results brought both disappointment and perspective. I placed seventh—merely one position away from qualifying for International Automation Games. Initially disheartened, I found renewed purpose while celebrating my friend Drushti’s bronze medal achievement. This experience revealed that my ISA journey transcended competition rankings, focusing instead on skill development, camaraderie, and personal growth.

Technical Projects and Leadership

Following the competition, I collaborated with friend Bipin on ambitious technical projects including drone development and a VR-controlled SLAM-based autonomous mobile robot. Our ISA network provided essential workshops and encouragement throughout these complex endeavors. As our capabilities grew, we began mentoring younger students through robotics workshops on ROS2, continuing the cycle of knowledge sharing that initially benefited us.

Scholarship Achievement

The culmination of my ISA experience arrived through the International Scholarships program. Together with Bipin and Drushti, I applied and we all received $2,000 awards. The recognition from ISA President Scott Reynolds validated our collective efforts, late-night work sessions, and competition experiences. This acknowledgment proved more meaningful than any trophy, representing institutional recognition of our dedication and growth.

Ongoing Impact

Now in my final year of automation and robotics studies, I’ve transitioned to mentoring younger students for competitions and leading technical workshops. Witnessing their initial curiosity mirror my own early experiences reinforces ISA’s legacy of continuous learning and community support. What began as casual workshop attendance has evolved into a commitment to guide future generations of automation professionals.